. >> liz was born in louisiana but grew up in japan where she decided to follow in her father's footsteps and join the military. >> i knew that if i was going to do any branch of the military, it had to be the best of the best and the most challenging one and the marine corps of course was everything i was looking. >> how many tours of duty did you do? >> three tours of iraq? >> 2006, 2008 and 2009. >> during her tour in iraq, her friends introduced her to the hard hitting world of mixed martial arts. >> i don't just focus on martial arts. being that engaged and that involved in something, it was a game of chess that i could push myself to. >> there's a gear that she has that other human beings don't posse possess. when she turns that gear on, she leaves everybody in the dust. >> when did you take your first official lesson? >> the first official lesson was the day i got back from iraq. i was beaten up, so i was like, hey, i want to do this. >> this was with another girl, right? >> no, other men. >> they showed you no mercy? >> not at all. >> i have seen grown men that are professionals i